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(Written by William)

Nostalgia is a significant factor in the return of adults to the LEGO hobby. It also plays a factor for longtime LEGO fans. But as with most things, nostalgia can warp your memories, and it can be hard to live up to expectations you’ve built up from these memories. This is why I didn’t rush out and pick up the #10355 LEGO Ideas Blacktron Renegade when it initially released. However, I was still interested in it, so I asked for a review copy to check it out.

I think another reason I was able to restrain myself was due to the fact that my experience with LEGO Space sort of bounced around. I played with the original brightly colored space minifigures, like Benny from The LEGO Movie. And I dipped my toes into sets like LEGO Space Police, but I sort of missed the era of Blacktron. Still, the LEGO Blacktron sets looked amazing. So, ultimately, I figured trying out this model wouldn’t disrupt any childhood memories. And although we talked about the set before, I really wanted to see for myself how LEGO handled a set that was originally for kids but is now targeted towards adults.

LEGO BLACKTRON RENEGADE- NOSTALGIA IN THE BUILD

You don’t mess with perfection, right? Well, LEGO designers stuck to this idea with the three minifigures that come with the set. They are all in the traditional Blacktron uniform, and they even feature the original minifigure face. Two dots and a smile are just perfect. And the eyes don’t even have a printed glint like newer minifigures.

As for the rest of the model, LEGO designers did something interesting. Throughout the instructions, they call out classic LEGO Space models to point out changes. For instance, the robot is a reimagined explorer robot, but done in Blacktron style. They also note that the ship has an extended range, which could take it to a different LEGO Space base.

Even though the overall design remains bulky, like the previous version of the ship, the newer elements allow you to get finer details in the model. The ends are modular. There are hidden speeder bikes in the wings. And there are decorative fusion cells for the engines. All in all, it feels like you’re building the original set but with improvements.

LEGO BLACKTRON RENEGADE- RELEASE MECHANISM

Apart from all the decorative elements, the updated Blacktron Renegade comes with an interesting drop release mechanism for its land vehicle. In the back of the unit, there is a control that you can either shift to the right or the left. When you do, the latches open up, releasing the held vehicle.

Going in the other direction, if you want to load the vehicle onto the ship, you hover the ship above, line up the arrows on the ground transport and the latches on the ship, lower the ship onto the transport, and with a soft click, you are good to go. The end result is magical to play with. Check out my video below to see how the latches are able to work in tandem, as well as an example of the drop mechanism in action.

LEGO BLACKTRON RENEGADE- FINAL THOUGHTS

I hate to say it, but I feel that this model is better than similarly sized ships from LEGO Star Wars. I love the size and play features while not giving up any of the decorative elements. Sadly, LEGO has to spend more time making sure the Star Wars sets look right, so they often can’t pack in this much play potential in a single model.

And for $99.99 MSRP, this model feels substantial. I think the Blacktron team is truly evil, since they can revisit my childhood memories and crush them with their new awesomeness! Haha! And as an added bonus, LEGO provides alternate build instructions for other older sets you might want to revisit.

Overall, this set is amazing. The building experience is great, the play potential is high, and the price is more than fair. And if you are just looking for a parts pack with a lot of black and a hint of yellow, it works for that as well. I’m just sort of glad that this is not a full line of sets; if it were, I’d be rather broke. Just prepare yourself for an epic experience. If you want to check it out, it’s available at the LEGO Icons section of the Online LEGO Shop.

What do you think? Do you have either the original Blacktron Renegade or the updated version? Or even both? Do you feel it made the transition successfully from a kids’ set to an adult collector’s item? Feel free to share your thoughts and own reviews in the comment section below!

And you might also like to check out the following related posts:

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(Written by MaxR from DDBricks)

We didn’t start as business experts. We were simply passionate fans of LEGO bricks, just like you might be. With dedication, creativity, and plenty of trial and error, we transformed that hobby into a real business. Today, we ship millions of genuine LEGO parts to fans and companies around the world. And the journey? It’s been anything but ordinary.

If you’re thinking about starting your own business, we hope our story gives you ideas, encouragement, and a few helpful warnings.

Our Dream: Giving LEGO Bricks a Second Life

Our mission from day one was simple: give used LEGO parts a second chance. These bricks are built to last, so why not keep them in circulation, help fans find what they need, and reduce waste at the same time?

Today, we process 2–3 tons of LEGO parts every month, stock over 14 million genuine pieces in 40,000+ unique lots, and ship to customers in 100+ countries. But it all started with a simple idea and a few boxes of bricks in a spare room.

That’s how the first days looked like in late 2017

The Adventure of Building a Business in a Foreign Country

When we moved from Germany to Thailand, we knew we were in for an adventure — and we weren’t wrong.

Thailand gave us so much:

  • Affordable operating costs
  • Access to fast-growing Asian markets
  • A positive, can-do environment

And it tested us with challenges:

  • Fewer shipping options, leading to higher delivery costs
  • Limited payment gateways, making it harder for customers to pay
  • The complexity of navigating customs, tax rules, and legal paperwork in a foreign language

Our takeaway: Even the best business plan must be checked against local realities. Make sure your location’s infrastructure — shipping, payments, suppliers — can truly support your vision.

Sourcing: The Treasure Hunt Behind the Scenes

People often ask us: Where do you find all those parts?

The answer: everywhere we can. From retiring resellers to private collectors, toy stores clearing inventory, auctions, flea markets, estate sales, and bulk sellers.

Every delivery is like a treasure chest. Some are perfectly sorted, others are chaos in a carton. And once in a while? You open a box and there it is — a LEGO Classic Space astronaut, a Pirate Captain Redbeard, or on a magical day… even a LEGO Star Wars Cloud City Boba Fett.

Sourcing is part science, part art, and part sheer luck. But it’s at the heart of how we offer high-quality, genuine LEGO parts at fair prices — and why no two days are ever the same.

Monthly bulk deliveries, ready for sorting

How Tech Gives Us an Edge

Managing 14 million LEGO parts is no small feat. Early on, we realized that no off-the-shelf software could handle the complexity of what we do. So, we built our own in-house IT system — designed specifically for the quirks and challenges of this unique business.

Now, we’re exploring how AI can take us further. From smarter inventory predictions to streamlining sorting, we believe technology is what will help us stay ahead — and serve LEGO fans better every day.

The Power of the Right Team

One of the biggest surprises of building DD Bricks in Thailand? LEGO isn’t as common in childhood here as it is in Europe or the U.S. We had to train our team from the basics: what makes a LEGO brick special, how to spot damage, how to handle orders with care.

We’re proud of the team we’ve built — motivated, reliable, passionate people who care as much about our customers as we do.

If you’re starting a business, find the right people early. You can’t build something great alone.

Our team: The most important part of our success

Say Yes to Experiments (and Failure)

Our corporate gift business wasn’t part of the plan. It grew out of trying new ideas, listening to customers, and saying yes to unexpected opportunities. Some experiments worked; many didn’t. But the successes opened doors we never imagined.

One of the most exciting moments in our journey came when we were asked to design a custom model — built from genuine LEGO elements — of a satellite that NASA sent into space. What started as a creative commission turned into a project that, quite literally, reached the stars.

In another unforgettable project, we designed a unique anniversary gift for one of the world’s largest insurance companies — a custom model of their headquarters built entirely from genuine LEGO elements, which delighted employees and impressed clients.

Lesson: Be willing to try, fail, and learn. The right risks will help you grow, discover new opportunities, and find your path.

A Product That Sparks Joy

No matter where we go — whether it’s a client meeting or a customs office — people smile when they hear about DD Bricks. LEGO brings out something positive in almost everyone.

It’s a product that opens doors, starts conversations, and reminds people of the joy of building.

Flexibility = Survival

Our business has faced:

  • Tariffs
  • Global shipping disruptions
  • The COVID-19 pandemic
  • Wars affecting supply chains
  • Cash flow crunches

What helped us navigate these?

  • Staying flexible
  • Acting fast
  • Not panicking

Perfect plans don’t win — adaptability does.

Future Vision: Where We’re Headed Next

At DD Bricks, we’re proud of what we’ve built since 2017, but we see much more ahead.

One of our biggest commitments is staying true to what matters most: we want to continue offering only 100% genuine LEGO bricks. Counterfeit parts have become a growing challenge in the market, and as that percentage rises, we’re working hard to improve our operations, systems, and quality controls so we can filter out anything that doesn’t meet the LEGO standard our customers trust us for.

At the heart of it all is a simple mission: to use LEGO bricks to inspire, connect, and improve. Whether it’s through giving parts a second life, creating a custom model that tells a brand’s story, or helping a classroom bring ideas to life, we believe LEGO bricks can do more — and we’re excited to keep building that future.

In 2025, our warehouse holds around 14 million parts in 40,000 lots.

Final Thoughts: What We’re Grateful For

Looking back, we’re deeply thankful:

  • For the chance to work with such a positive, inspiring product
  • For our amazing team
  • For our customers in over 100 countries who trust us

Above all, we are grateful to be part of a global community that builds, creates, and shares joy through LEGO bricks.

If you’re thinking about starting your own business, we hope our story gives you insight and encouragement. And if you ever want to brainstorm ideas — or if you visit Thailand — stop by! We’d love to connect, share experiences, and cheer you on as you build your success.

You can visit our website at DBBricks.com, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and you’re also welcome to question/comment below!

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